Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck (Greens) has spoken out against the delivery of fighter jets to Ukraine. In the ZDF program "Markus Lanz," Habeck spoke of a "balancing act" between "maximum support" for Ukraine, without Germany itself becoming a party to the war. "And of course it's not entirely clear where the line runs there."

From what he knows, Ukraine needs the maintenance of the West for the modern Western fighter jets, which could then "probably" go a step too far, said Habeck. It is right to supply main battle tanks to Ukraine. "But there is a difference between war tanks and fighter jets."

With a view to the main battle tanks, Habeck said: "We hesitated for a long time, and maybe a little too long, to make this decision." But it was also right to insist that this decision be made together with the Americans. "That also helped the Americans get involved. That wasn't possible before." But now the Ukraine should be quickly equipped with the tanks.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has repeatedly rejected Kiev's request for the delivery of fighter jets in the war against Russia. US President Joe Biden also ruled out passing on F-16 jets on Monday. French President Emmanuel Macron, on the other hand, did not give a categorical refusal, but said on Monday that the weapons should not have an escalating effect and should not touch Russian soil, but should only be used for defense.